Jesse Eisenberg played Facebook and Meta supremo Mark Zuckerberg in the original David Fincher-directed The Social Network. When offered the chance to return for the sequel – The Social Reckoning – he turned it down. As a result, the part of Zuckerberg will instead be played by Succession star Jeremy Strong. Aaron Sorkin directs.
Now, an in-depth feature in GQ has covered Strong’s approach and preparation for the role. We know that Strong has a reputation for going full “method” when preparing for roles. So much so, that, due to his currently filming role as a Nazi hunter in the new version of The Boys from Brazil, he actually conducted this entire interview in a Polish accent.
He also went “Method” to play Zuckerberg, and on the set was never out of character, even when not filming. In the interview, Strong spoke about his mindset when he approached the role:
“It’s the kind of role that fascinates me. It’s like Sebastian [Stan] playing Trump. You are wearing the cape. It’s like Jeremy [Allen White] playing Bruce [Springsteen]. It’s like, the perils of that could not be greater.
To commit to it, and to be free within it, is a great challenge… Listen, I know that he is a reviled person and not a popular person in our culture, but I do not think you should have an actor playing him who wants to set out to condemn him.”
The response to what has been revealed in clips and trailers has divided viewers, with some claiming he’s got an Oscar in the bag, but others saying it’s a Razzie. Strong accepts the split:
“I thought that was the greatest endorsement. Because to me, it was like – listen, I’ll be sad if I win a Razzie, but that’s the place you want to be. That’s the wager you have to make. To me, that means, Okay, I put it on the line enough”
Strong also revealed that he reached out to Zuckerberg after accepting the role and actually received a reply from him, but refused to say what they discussed.
The Social Reckoning opens in theaters October 9th this year.
